Counseling for Medical Conditions (Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, Cancer, and other significant medical diagnoses). You’ve gone to your doctor so many times that you have lost count. Finally, you get your diagnosis and your terrified. What happens now? Is my life changed forever? How do I keep doing everything I need to do and still fight to have the best life possible?

Having medical issues and/or chronic pain can interfere with every aspect of your day, including small things that other people take for granted. Whether you have a chronic condition or a new medical diagnosis, living with any illness needs to be treated holistically; mind and body.

Getting a medical diagnosis, whether it’s chronic pain, a chronic illness, cancer, or some other serious condition that changes your life, you go through the grieving process. It feels like your old life has “passed on,” and you have to learn how to accept this “new normal.”

It’s time to have the support you need for this difficult situation. There are so many thoughts that could be going through your head, you need someone to talk through this will you and guide you on your path to figuring out the next steps and how to make sure you are still getting time to take care of yourself.

Counseling for Bariatric Surgery Patients. Amanda Dutton, LPC from Georgia is trained in working with bariatric surgery patients. Preparing for bariatric surgery is hard! There are so many appointments, meetings and rules you have to follow. At least there are the support groups for bariatric surgery patients, right?

But what happens after bariatric surgery? In most cases, the support we have before the surgery seems to disappear. Maybe you had a pre-surgical psychological assessment, but how do you get through the emotional eating and all the new feelings we have to face once we can’t run to the fridge or cabinet anymore?

With life still going on – family, work, friends, etc. – making time for yourself can be tough, but it’s so important and necessary – especially now! You need a space where you can talk without fear of judgement and learn about this “new you” and how to work with it for the rest of your life.

It’s not just the physical changes we experience after surgery, but also the mental shifts and advocating for  your needs that has to occur while you begin to “grieve” your old self, even though it wasn’t where you wanted to be.

Reasons Bariatric and Medical Patients come to Counseling. There are many types of mental health treatment, and many different individuals to consider counseling. Sometimes, the issue bringing someone to counseling is relatively small and they’re just trying to cope with some temporary stress. Other times, the reasons can feel big and overwhelming.  Here are just a few reasons someone may start counseling:

• Anxiety including social anxiety, general anxiety and worry about the future
• Feeling overwhelmed in the age of constant digital communication
• Relationship problems
• Conflict between family members
• Depression
• Adjustment to a recent procedure, their health & other major life stressors
• Feeling uncertain about the future
• Self-esteem & identity concerns

Counseling is a great way to start learning more about your “new normal” and your choices and emotions. For others, the balance has been off for a little bit and things in their life are starting to go downhill with communication, self-worth or simply withdrawing from others. There is no need to suffer when you can get treatment.

Therapy is a great way to build a trusting relationship with someone outside of their close circle who can help them navigate through this period of life. Even if you don’t think your issues are that serious, don’t wait until they are.

Why get treatment? It can be hard to tell the difference between “typical” sadness, anger or frustration and more serious problems. If you are the partner of someone who has had bariatric surgery or has gotten a serious medical diagnosis, watching your partner go through all of the emotions that happen can seem like a really big transition. Sometimes patients will obsess over their weight changes, have fears about their outcomes and want to give up. However, so many of these things can be part of the process of adapting to this new normal.

However, if you’re experiencing rapid emotional shifts that often feel out of control, problems at work like not completing tasks or trouble with peers, unhealthy eating and sleeping habits, social anxiety, suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors or other impulsive/dangerous behaviors, then it might be time to see a therapist. There is a point where typical stressors become difficult to balance. If you feel like you just don’t understand yourself (or if you are a partner and feel like you just don’t recognize your significant other anymore) and don’t know what else to do, it’s time to get help from a therapist or counselor.

eTherapy for Chronic Medical Conditions/Pain. For many individuals, eTherapy make a lot of sense.  First of all, who has time for therapy when life is so busy? With eTherapy, help can come right to your phone or computer on your own time. After a long day at work, taking care of your family, going to appointments and all the other things that happen in your day, you can talk to your therapist from the comfort of your own room. Furthermore, many online therapists have nighttime and weekend appointments available to fit into your busy schedule!

Additionally, many of us are so used to being online and are used to forming relationships online.  In fact, much communication happens over technology.  Therefore, you’re most likely already comfortable communicating through the computer, tablet or phone screen.  Online counseling meets you exactly where you are already.

Although medical conditions are physical in their presentation, there is much that can happen to change our pain by the power of the mind and body. Cognitive Behavioral Strategies in particular are helpful in reducing negative thought patters associated with medical conditions. How we think about our pain influences the pain cycle.When you don’t feel well, having to get out of bed to make weekly therapy appointments is hard to do. With eTherapy, you can access your therapist from the comfort of your home or surroundings, and with flexible appointment times, we can ensure you are seen at a time that works best for your pain levels. Schedule your FREE Synergy eTherapy consultation with a therapist in your area today!

Feel better! Know that we are here to help you find ways to manage your medical condition with as much grace as possible. You don’t need to do this alone. Although we cannot take away a medical condition, we can help you improve it as much as possible to allow for better quality of life.

Emotions and self-worth can be very overwhelming! With some guidance and support from a mental health professional, we all can move through this phase in life with grace.  Counseling can be an important form of support for your entire family during this time of transition.

Please know that the online therapists at Synergy eTherapy are here to help you find your way.  Through online counseling sessions, you can learn manage your emotions, build self-confidence, and improve your overall mental health. You are not alone in this fight!

If at any time you feel suicidal, STOP and please call 9-1-1 immediately or go to your local emergency room. This site is not intended, nor equipt to handle crisis situations.